Spotlight & Giveaway: Death and the Sisters, by Heather Redmond

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September 25 – October 20, 2023 Virtual Book Tour

Death and the Sisters by Heather Redmond  

Title: Death and the Sisters

Series: Mary Shelley Mystery, 1

Author: by Heather Redmond

Genre: Historical mystery

Published by: Kensington

Publication Date: September 2023

Number of Pages: 320

ISBN: 9781496737991 (ISBN10: 1496737997)

Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Kensington


The tangled relationships between Frankenstein author Mary Shelley, poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Mary’s stepsister Jane Clairmont form the backdrop for an intriguing historical mystery, set in London in 1814, that explores the complex dynamic between sisters and the birth of teenaged Mary’s creative genius.

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London, 1814: Mary Godwin and her stepsister Jane Clairmont, both sixteen, possess quick minds bolstered by an unconventional upbringing, and have little regard for the rules that other young ladies follow. Mary, whose mother famously advocated for women’s rights, rejects the two paths that seem open to her—that of an assistant in her father’s bookshop, or an ordinary wife. Though quieter and more reserved than the boisterous Jane, Mary’s imagination is keen, and she longs for real-world adventures.

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One evening, an opportunity arrives in the form of a dinner guest, Percy Bysshe Shelley. At twenty-one, Shelley is already a renowned poet and radical. Mary finds their visitor handsome and compelling, but it is later that evening, after the party has broken up, that events take a truly intriguing turn. When Mary comes downstairs in search of a book, she finds instead a man face down on the floor—with a knife in his back.

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The dead man, it seems, was a former classmate of Shelley’s, and had lately become a personal and professional rival. What was he doing in the Godwins’ home? Mary, Jane, and Shelley are all drawn to learn the truth behind the tragedy, especially as each discovery seems to hint at a tangled web that includes many in Shelley’s closest circle. But as the attraction between Mary and the married poet intensifies, it sparks a rivalry between the sisters, even as it kindles the creative fire within . . .
Praise for Death and the Sisters:

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Death and the Sisters is a terrific blend of gritty history with a mystery that will keep readers turning pages. Impeccably researched and imaginative, Redmond’s first Mary Shelley Mystery immerses readers in the drama of young Mary Godwin and her family, as well as her budding romance with Percy Shelley, as they work together to solve a wonderfully bookish murder. I thoroughly enjoyed this series kick-off and can’t wait for the next story!” ~ Susanna Craig, author of The Lady Knows Best

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Death and the Sisters is a rip-roaring murder mystery with twists and turns that introduces teenaged Mary Godwin, not yet the author of the immortal work Frankenstein, as an amateur detective. Redmond’s foray in the world of rational atheists in early 19th century London is a mesmerizing, forceful delight.” ~ Eilis Flynn, author of The Riddle of Rym

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“Crafted with vivid historical detail, an artfully twisted plot, and engaging characters, Death and the Sisters is an excellent start to what I hope will be a long-running series.” ~ Dianne Freeman, author of the award-winning Countess of Harleigh Mysteries

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“It might be the way London comes to life in all of its dark and gritty complexities, or the dynamics between Mary and her step-sister, Jane, as they set out to find the killer of the man who they discover dead in the bookshop. Everyone is a suspect—even Percy Shelley who has caught the eye of the women in the household. Propulsive and immersive, Heather Redmond is at the top of her game until the intense and satisfying end.” ~ Mary Keliikoa, author of Hidden Pieces

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“An intrepid cast of characters, a stunningly atmospheric 19th-century London, and a riveting murder… Highly recommend.” ~ Melissa Bourbon, bestselling author

Author Bio:
Heather Redmond
Heather Redmond is an author of commercial fiction and also writes as Heather Hiestand. First published in mystery, she took a long detour through romance before returning. Though her last British ancestor departed London in the 1920s, she is a committed anglophile, Dickens devotee, and lover of all things nineteenth century.

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She has lived in Illinois, California, and Texas, and now resides in a small town in Washington State with her husband and son. The author of many novels, novellas, and short stories, she has achieved best-seller status at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other retailers. Her 2018 Heather Redmond debut, A Tale of Two Murders, has received a coveted starred review from Kirkus Reviews.

Catch Up With Heather Redmond: www.HeatherRedmond.com Goodreads BookBub – @heatherredmond1 Instagram – @hiestandheather Twitter – @heatheraredmond Heather Hiestand Redmond’s Reader Group on Facebook


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Spotlight: The Amber Menhir, by Jonathan N. Pruitt

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The Amber Menhir
The Shadows of the Monolith #1
October 3, 2023
Spinner Loom Press
384 pages

With each new dawn, the celestial body known only as ‘Calamity’ draws closer—and with it the end of the world. Humanity’s only hope from oblivion rests in the menhirs, towering bastions of scholarship and imagination which cast long shadows across the lands. The scholars within the menhirs devote themselves selflessly to the discovery of new magic that will help avert the impending apocalypse … or so the masses have been made to understand.

In a society divided between those with occult potential and lay citizens, Tara Langcraw is recruited into the Amber Menhir with great interest. The long awaited heiress of a bloodline bearing the rarest of the six magical disciplines, time manipulation, she is expected to flourish within this noble citadel of learning, as are her friends and fellow recruits, Roland Ward and Peony Bianchi.

They soon find, however, that those who fail to meet expectations, or who dare to challenge the prevailing order, put more than their marks on the line. For the menhir squirms with rivalries, and those who stand against the status quo may not stand for very long.

 

Praise:
“A striking fantasy debut that, like the sinister menhirs it describes, will undoubtedly cast a long shadow.”
– Chris Riches, The Daily Express

Amazon / Goodreads


About the Author:

jonathan n pruit phototJonathan N. Pruitt is a lifelong educator, a former scientific researcher, and a provocative fantasy author. With his debut novel The Amber Menhir, Pruitt delivers biting humor, deep human insights, and a unique scientist’s perspective. His life experiences—from living in diverse corners of the world like South Africa, Namibia, Australia, and Canada, to navigating the wild landscape of his career—richly inform his narratives. Pruitt’s storytelling defies reality yet resonates with emotional truth. He makes readers question the differences between good and evil, and the murky area between the two.

Website / Facebook / Instagram

Spotlight & Excerpt: Blue Lunar and The Apex Grail, by R.L. Baxter

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Blue Lunar - 5

Blue Lunar and The Apex Grail
by R.L. Baxter
Fantasy Adventure
396 pages

In a world where the gods have long deserted mortals, a powerful sorcerer emerges from a 100-year-old prison. Releasing an army of beasts, he enters a path of destruction while searching for an ancient relic.

Tasked with challenging the darkness, a pure and naive-hearted boy named Luke embraces his destiny to defeat the wizard – for the promise of a better tomorrow.

Equipped with a divine armour, fashioned by the most powerful goddess, Luke will journey across the land in pursuit of the dark sorcerer, making unforgettable allies and bonds along the way. However, as a long-buried tragedy slowly comes to light, the boy will question everything he believes in… including his destiny

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Excerpt:

“Oh wow, what’s with all the attitude? Is that the thanks I get for bestowing you with the powers of the blue moon? I think you’ll find that I have done more than enough for a mere human like you.”

Gritting his teeth before clenching his fists with anger, the boy turns around and shouts “these powers of mine couldn’t so much as touch that awful wizard. The only thing it did was destroy the very city I wanted to protect!”

“I never said that being a hero would be easy, Luke.”

“Well, you never said anything that truly mattered, and yet the very enemy you wanted me to kill was able to reveal more information than you ever did. For example, who the heck is Solomon and how did the wizard know so much about my armour? Was it true that it first belonged to that other person?”

Pausing with shock, the woman gasps before turning her gaze away from the boy. With a far from convincing manner, she replies “Solomon is nobody… nobody at all.”

“You liar! How do you expect me to trust you if you won’t even tell me the truth?”


Author Bio
Ricky Baxter Author PhotoRicky Baxter is a London born, fantasy author of novels and short novellas. He is an avid blogger, giving advice and thoughts to fellow creators from all walks of life. Starting out as a composer after graduating with a Ba(Hons) in music and multimedia, Ricky worked for many independent short film directors, gaining notable IMDB credits. Since then, he has embraced his earlier passion for writing fictional stories.

Ricky’s Links

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